BMW, Porsche Demo 450-kW Charging Station

FastCharge, a German consortium that includes BMW AG and Porsche AG, opened a prototype charging station this week that can provide electric vehicles with a 62-mile range in three minutes and replenish a battery to 80% capacity in 15 minutes.

Located in Jettingen-Scheppach, Germany, the station is equipped with a 450-kW charger and a 175-kW unit. As part of a pilot program, EV owners will be able to charge their vehicles for free at the station.

Most of today’s public charging stations operate at 50-150 kW. The first 350-kW units also are beginning to be installed in Europe and the U.S.

The FastCharge system uses the plugs and standards of Europe’s Combined Charging System (CCS) protocol, making it compatible with most current EVs in Europe. Siemens is supplying the chargers, which can accommodate vehicles equipped with a 400- or 800-volt battery.

Other members of FastCharge include Allego and Phoenix Contact E-Mobility. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is providing nearly €8 million ($9 million) in funding for the three-year program, which was announced last December.